Fewer Nigerians have died under Tinubu than any recent government, says APC’s Etta

Hilliard Etta, former acting national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has defended the administration of President Bola Tinubu, claiming that Nigeria has recorded fewer deaths from insecurity under the current government than under any recent administration while also delivering unprecedented infrastructure development and economic growth.

Speaking during an appearance on Arise News on Sunday, Etta argued that the performance of the Tinubu administration should be assessed using measurable data rather than public perception, insisting that security and economic indicators show the country is moving in the right direction. According to him, reports from newspapers and global security assessments support the claim that fatalities linked to insecurity have declined since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.

According to him, reports from newspapers and global security assessments support the claim that fatalities linked to insecurity have declined since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023. 

“Far less people have died under Asiwaju Bola Tinubu than any government from the time. It’s in the newspapers. It’s on the terrorism index,” Etta said.

The APC chieftain also rejected suggestions that insecurity has worsened under the current administration, defending the efforts of the Nigerian military in combating terrorism, banditry, and other criminal activities.

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“Don’t say that, please. Do not do that to our military personnel. The people that have been neutralised by our military personnel are over and above those causing insecurity,” he stated, adding that security forces deserve recognition for their sacrifices and operational successes.

Beyond security, Etta pointed to what he described as unprecedented investment in infrastructure, particularly road construction projects spread across the country. 

“The only time we have had the level of infrastructural investment that we have in Nigeria is during wartime. The level of infrastructural development in this country in the past two years is unprecedented,” he said. 

According to him, the federal government is currently executing about 2,700 kilometres of reinforced concrete roads nationwide, a feat he argued no previous administration has achieved within a comparable period.

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He further cited improvements in key economic indicators as evidence that government reforms are yielding results. Etta said Nigeria is currently among the fastest-growing economies globally, recording growth of about 4.3 per cent, while external reserves have climbed to nearly $50 billion.

He also highlighted the performance of the Nigerian capital market, noting that the All-Share Index has risen significantly since 2023.

“When we took over in 2023, the All-Share Index was about 50,000 points. Today, it is about 250,000 points. Market capitalisation has moved from about N30 trillion to roughly N150 trillion,” he said.

Despite the positive figures, Etta acknowledged that many Nigerians are yet to feel the benefits of the economic gains due to the high cost of living and persistent hardship. 

“I will agree that it has not trickled down to the dining tables of the average Nigerian family,” he said. “The government is aware that there are certain things that must be done to make these positive indicators reflect in the lives of Nigerians. These things take time.” 

He expressed confidence that ongoing reforms would eventually reduce poverty, improve access to education, healthcare and agriculture, and translate macroeconomic gains into tangible improvements in the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians.